I thogt you wod use an graphic LCD.Jea an pong game is out on an char LCD (these are only good for displaying text)
You cod make an wierles temometer that has an PIC whith an temperature sensor and an RF module on the other side you have an LCD that displayis only the curent outside and curent inside temperature (the reciver itself has too has an temperature sensor for the inside temp.)
Shodnt be hard 2 18-pin PICs,2 I2C temperature sensors,1 RF TX/RX pair,1 small char LCD.
You can order samples for microchip (you can get the PIC and the I2C temperature sensors this way)